We’re on the right track

Norman Muchemwa
For 20 years Zimbabwe has suffered depressed production levels as companies closed down.

The major reason for the closure was high operational costs, which had a ripple effect of negative economic performance.

The area of electricity generation was not spared as the country failed to avail financial resources to upgrade, renovate and construct new power plants.

With demand outstripping supply, Zimbabweans witnessed crippling electricity shortages.

Which is why it became critical to invest not only in new power stations, but also in upgrading existing plants like Kariba South Extension, and rehabilitation of Harare and Hwange thermal stations.

Smaller projects like Munyati Solar, Insukamini Solar and Gairezi Hydro have started bearing fruit.

Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned the Kariba South Extension which has capacity to add 300MW to the national grid.

The commissioning comes as financial closure is imminent on the 42-month Hwange Power Station upgrade to add two generators with a combined generating capacity of 600MW.

In the same vein, Harare Thermal Power Station is set to undergo a re-powering exercise to increase output from 40 to 20MW.

The projects are amongst the various initiative Government is pushing as a matter of urgency to ensure speedy revival of industry and lure investors.

At the commissioning of the upgraded plant in Kariba, President Mnangagwa highlighted the importance of energy infrastructure in reviving the economy.

“This event indeed bears testimony to my Government’s realisation of the centrality of energy infrastructure to economic resuscitation and growth,” he said.

“Furthermore, it is witness to our commitment to address the energy requirements in the country in the quest to boost productivity in all sectors of the economy and ensure access to power for a broader section of our economy.”

The President said Government was aware of the urgent need to put Zimbabwe back on track, and ensuring reliable energy supplies was key to this imperative.

Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Mike Bimha hailed the coming online of Kariba South Extension, pointing out it would also reduce Zimbabwe’s electricity import bill.

“Any additional power to us is very much appreciated, because we are looking to more industries coming up, we have hope that all closed industries will revive soon and what it means is that demand for power will be increasing.

“Sometimes when companies are closed, everything appears normal, but when they are revived that’s when reality will sink that we have shortage of power, so every development which gives us additional megawatts is greatly welcome.

“This is because we anticipate and foresee that in future, there will be high demand of electricity.

“So we need more of that and we celebrate of that,” he said.

With electricity supply now guaranteed, increased industrial performance is on the horizon.